Jonesboro, AR — (JonesboroRightNow.com) — July 18, 2025 — Residents from across Northeast Arkansas paid their respects Thursday to Charles Davis Frierson III, of Jonesboro, who passed away July 14 at the age of 93.

A City of Jonesboro Facebook book post Thursday referenced Frierson as a dedicated public servant and respected civic leader.

“Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Charles Frierson III. His legacy of leadership, integrity, and dedication to public service will continue to inspire the City of Jonesboro for years to come.”

According to Frierson’s obituary Frierson had an extraordinary legacy of public service and civic dedication that helped shape Jonesboro over many decades. “Frierson has left a long legacy of dedicated service, professional excellence, and adventurous spirit.”

“Following in the distinguished footsteps of Charles Davis Frierson Sr. and Jr., he embodied the family’s unwavering commitment to building community, fostering development, and serving the public good,” the obituary stated.

During his eulogy honoring Frierson, Dr. Willet Young said Frierson pushed the boundaries because he wasn’t an average man. Willet called him a legend and a renaissance man.

“One thing you can say for sure about Charles, whether you liked him or disliked him, you couldn’t ignore him because he lived life big,” Willet said. “He could and he would express his opinion and do it in such a way that the reflection of his voice put it in context.”

Frierson was born in Jonesboro July 5, 1932, to Charles Davis Frierson, Jr. and Margaret Purifoy Frierson.

He married Carolyn Rhea Frierson, on November 27, 1955, sharing almost seven decades of marriage and two children, Sandra Frierson and Terry Frierson.

Frierson was preceded in death by his wife Carolyn, his parents, his brother James Frierson, and his daughter Sandra Frierson. He is survived by his son Terry Frierson (Kim); grandchildren Brandon Frierson and Brooke Frierson; great-grandchildren Lenworth and Renee Welsch; sisters Neville Bryan and Cherry Frierson Young; and many adoring nieces, nephews, and extended family members.

Frierson was a graduate of Jonesboro Public Schools, before earning his Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from Arkansas State University in 1953 and his Bachelor of Laws and Juris Doctorate at the University of Arkansas Law School in 1958.

Following his ROTC commission, Frierson served as a First Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Artillery from 1954 to 1955.

With a distinguished banking and legal career spanning 67 years, he was the oldest practicing attorney in Arkansas, having served as City Attorney for Jonesboro, Bay, Cash, Brookland, Monette, and Lake City; and continuing to serve as the City Attorney for the Caraway and Weiner communities until his passing.

Among his many different leadership roles, Frierson served as a Jonesboro City Councilman from 2006 to 2022; as well as the Mercantile Bank Board Chairman and President, Monette State Bank Board Chairman, Craighead Forest Park Commission Secretary/Treasurer, Eastern Arkansas Area Boy Scouts Council Commissioner and President, YMCA President, Southwest Region YMCA Director, Craighead County Democratic Central Committee Chairman and more.

Frierson also earned numerous honors for his service throughout the years, including the Fundraising Leadership Award from the Arkansas State Council for Economic Education, the Arkansas State University Presidents Council Award, the 1998 Greater Jonesboro Chamber of Commerce Roy H. Jolly Volunteer Award and many additional awards.

Beyond his professional and civic commitments, Frieson was an avid scuba diver and world traveler, known for sharing his adventures with local civic groups, advocating for nature conservation.

Click here to read Frierson’s full obit or to sign the online guestbook.